Donte "Hitner" Got Called for a Penalty on This Hit

Donte “Hitner” ( Whitner) has a reputation to match his nickname. As a result, he got called for a penalty on this hit. Tough call. Whitner goes in right in the mid-section, and uses his forearm, not his helmet. Did it contact Steven Jackson’s helmet? Close, and face mask only, though it wouldn’t have been but close for Jackson lowering down to make a catch.

That’s the type of hit that should not be a penalty, if we could draw it up with examples. It also gave the Falcons a second chance, and they cashed in with a touchdown.